Pollution link to heart disease

RBYSTRIANYK@GMAIL.COM (ROMAN BYSTRIANYK) 2004-11-08 05:04:19

http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.php?event=news_print_list_item&id78

"Pollution link to heart disease", BBC News, November 8, 2004,
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3991633.stm

Air pollution caused by traffic and factories may cause heart disease,
a US study suggests.

The team found the pollution seemed to cause the narrowing of arteries
- an early stage of heart disease - in a similar way to smoking.

The University of Southern California team studied almost 800 people
aged over 40 living in the Los Angeles area.

Study author Professor Nino Kuenzli said the public health
implications of the findings "could be immense".

Using ultrasound, the researchers measured the thickness of the inner
lining of the carotid artery in the neck.

Atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty materials in the arteries which
reduces blood flow, is already linked to smoking, diabetes and
obesity.

Cars

The researchers also looked at levels of pollution in the areas where
study participants lived.

They measured PM2.5 particles, which are commonly produced by burning
fossil fuels, such as from cars or in processing metals.

The particles are so tiny that they can be inhaled into the smallest
airways.

The pollution causes the body to produce oxidants which in turn
trigger inflammatory reactions in both the respiratory tract and blood
vessels, triggering artery damage.

PM2.5 levels are measured in micrograms per metre cubed (ug/m3) with
readings in the study ranging from 5.2 to 26.9ug/m3.

The researchers found that for every 10ug/m3 increase in pollution,
the thickness of the lining of the neck artery increased by 5.9%.

After the team adjusted for factors such as age and lifestyle, artery
thickness increased by between 3.9%and 4.3% for every 10ug/m3 increase
in PM2.5, according to the study presented to the American Heart
Association.

The strongest link was seen in women over the age of 60, with a 15.7%
increase in artery thickness for every 10ug/m3 increase in pollution.

Pollutants

Prof Kuenzli said: "We knew that people in more polluted areas die
earlier from cardiovascular disease.

"Our study found that air pollution may contribute to cardiovascular
problems at a very early stage of the disease, similar to smoking, and
enhances atherosclerosis, which is the underlying disease process of
cardiovascular diseases."

He called for more research into the effect of air pollution.

Alison Shaw, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said the
research added to previous evidence that air pollution may contribute
to heart and circulatory disease - the UK's biggest killer.

"Certain pollutants have an inflammatory effect on the inner linings
of arteries, which can trigger atherosclerosis and inflammation of the
lungs, which could aggravate existing lung problems.

"Experts believe that variations in levels of urban air pollution
affect mortality rates.

"However, further large scale trials are needed to assess the health
impacts of long term exposure to air pollution."

She added that the BHF was funding research into how air pollution may
contribute to coronary heart disease. Results of the study are
expected within three years.